Chapter 16: Can Sister Take Xiao Tao With Her?

Yun Cuihe was momentarily at a loss and looked towards Lu Xinghe.

Finally, seeing him nod, she didn’t insist and took the coins Chu Yue handed back.

“Alright, if you don’t want to take it, then don’t.  We’ll use it ourselves.”  Then she continued to urge them, “Hurry up and go.  If you go too late, you won’t even have dinner.”

They nodded and set off.

As soon as they left the village, Lu Xinghe reached for Chu Yue’s basket.

“Let me carry it.”

Chu Yue wanted to say it wasn’t heavy, but the man’s strength was overwhelming. Before she could speak, he had lifted the basket and stuffed the rice in her hand into it, carrying it all together.

Chu Yue’s heart warmed.  She bit her lip and asked softly, “Husband, why are you so good to me?”

Hearing this question, Lu Xinghe’s face turned slightly uncomfortable.

He turned his face away. “You’re my wife.  Should I be good to someone else instead of you?”

Because he was looking away, Chu Yue didn’t notice the fleeting expression on his face.

Hearing this answer, a wave of disappointment swept through her heart.

She thought to herself, if his wife were someone else, would he be just as good to her?

Although she knew that this thought was a bit petty and that his answer was perfectly reasonable, she still felt a twinge of discomfort.  This discomfort persisted for the next half-day’s journey, and she didn’t speak to Lu Xinghe on her own initiative.

Lu Xinghe had never interacted with girls before and didn’t know that his previous words would make Chu Yue feel uncomfortable.  He just thought she was tired from walking, which is why she was so quiet.  He was secretly thinking that once the basket was empty on the way back, maybe he could carry her for a distance.

…

Finally, they reached Niutou Village when the sun was directly overhead.

Many families saw Chu Yue walking side by side with a tall man as they passed their doors and greeted her.

“Er Ya, is this your man?”

Hearing the words “your man,” Chu Yue’s heart pounded.  Her face, already flushed from the journey, became even hotter.

She lowered her head slightly and nodded, saying, “Yes.”

Her voice was so soft that one had to strain to hear it.

After hearing this answer, those people would then exclaim, “Your man is really handsome!”

Seeing those people staring at Lu Xinghe, Chu Yue felt a pang of jealousy for some reason.  She pulled Lu Xinghe and hurried home as if fleeing.

Finally reaching her own doorstep, Chu Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Xinghe smiled, biting his lip.  He pulled his sleeve and wiped the sweat from Chu Yue’s forehead. “Why are you running so fast? They won’t eat you.”

‘They won’t eat you, but they will eat you.’  (This is a play on words, implying that the villagers are admiring Lu Xinghe’s attractiveness.)

Chu Yue didn’t say this line in front of Lu Xinghe.

The Chu family’s courtyard was small, and Zhao Chunhua, who was busy in the kitchen, had sharp ears. As soon as the two appeared at the door, she heard the commotion and hurried out. Upon seeing Chu Yue and Lu Xinghe, she rushed forward to open the gate, calling out, “Head of the family, Dasha, Er Ya has brought her husband back for a visit. Come out and greet the guests!”

The others inside the house quickly came out upon hearing the noise.

When Chu Youqian saw Lu Xinghe, he instinctively averted his gaze. If possible, he really didn’t want to have any interaction with this man.

As soon as Chu Dashan came out and saw the heavy basket in Lu Xinghe’s hands, he hurried over to take it, grinning as he said, “You came to visit and even brought something? You’re being too polite.”

While speaking, he started to take the items out of the basket. When he saw the piece of meat beneath the old rice, his throat rolled, and the sound of him swallowing could be clearly heard even from a meter away by Chu Yue.

How embarrassing.

Zhao Chunhua and Chu Youqian exchanged glances and hurriedly laughed to break the awkwardness of the moment.

“Haha, look at me, why am I standing out here? Come inside quickly; it’s hot outside. Let’s talk inside.” She then looked at Chu Youqian and said, “Head of the family, please take good care of your son-in-law. I’ll go busy myself in the kitchen. We don’t have much to eat at home, so Er Ya and her husband can make do with a meal before leaving.”

“Alright.” Chu Youqian quickly gestured for them to enter. “Son-in-law, please come in.”

“Sister!”

At that moment, Xiao Tao hurried out from the room where she had been staying with Chu Yue. She stood at the door, calling out softly.

Her eyes were filled with excitement and a hint of panic, and her eyes were slightly red, her small hands fidgeting as if unsure where to place them.

Chu Yue suppressed her emotions, glancing at Lu Xinghe and then at Chu Youqian.

“I’ll go keep Xiao Tao company.”

Chu Youqian waved his hand.

“Go, go.”

Chu Yue pulled Xiao Tao into the house and smiled, stroking her head. “Did you miss your sister?”

Xiao Tao nodded eagerly.

Chu Yue squatted down, looking at her and asking softly, “How have you been these past two days?”

She looked closely.  Xiao Tao was about to shake her head, but just as she was about to do so, her little head suddenly nodded up and down twice.

“Xiao Tao is good.  Just really miss sister.  Will sister leave again this time?”

Looking at Chu Xiao Tao’s aggrieved expression, Chu Yue’s heart ached, but she still answered truthfully.

“I will leave.  Sister is married now, and I won’t be able to come back to see you often.”

Although she knew the answer in her heart, when she heard Chu Yue’s words, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of panic.

Xiao Tao pulled Chu Yue’s hand and sobbed, “Then can sister take Xiao Tao with her?”

Since she was little, Chu Yue had taken care of her.

From changing diapers, lulling her to sleep, to crawling, walking, and learning to speak, she hadn’t left Chu Yue’s side for a single day.

Now that Chu Yue was leaving, her heart was filled with fear and anxiety.

Chu Yue’s eyes reddened as she gently hugged Chu Xiao Tao.

“Good Xiao Tao, sister wants to take you with her, but I can’t.  You are your parents’ child, and they won’t let me take you away.  Can sister try to come see you more often in the future?”

Hearing this, Chu Xiao Tao’s tears immediately flowed.  Her suppressed sobs caused her thin shoulders to tremble uncontrollably.  Chu Yue felt even more distressed and could only reach out and stroke her back, trying to calm her down.

Sigh!  If the little girl were seven or eight years old, she wouldn’t have to worry.

Leaving her alone in the Chu family, she didn’t know what kind of life she would have to live.

After Chu Xiao Tao calmed down a bit, Chu Yue pulled out a small paper package as if by magic. She opened the package, revealing two small, exquisite pastries.

She had bought these pastries the day before when she went to town. She had spent five copper coins for a small package and had specifically saved two pieces to bring for Xiao Tao.

Chu Yue took one pastry from the package and placed it in Xiao Tao’s hand.

“Taste this.  Sister brought it just for you.”